Pocket Carry statement

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nanney1

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Went into a local gun store (big shop) and looked at a 642. First thing I did was put it in my pocket to see how it felt and looked.

I asked the guy assisting me if he ever pocket carried and he said no. He didn't make any comment about me trying the 642 in my pocket

I then asked why he never pocket carried and he said "it's not the proper place to carry a firearm". Turns out he was a former LEO. Said he had encountered several situations where someone who was pocket carrying was attacked. Despite having a gun, they couldn't get it out of the pocket to defend themselves.
 
nanney1 said:
Went into a local gun store (big shop) and looked at a 642. First thing I did was put it in my pocket to see how it felt and looked.

I asked the guy assisting me if he ever pocket carried and he said no. He didn't make any comment about me trying the 642 in my pocket

I then asked why he never pocket carried and he said "it's not the proper place to carry a firearm". Turns out he was a former LEO. Said he had encountered several situations where someone who was pocket carrying was attacked. Despite having a gun, they couldn't get it out of the pocket to defend themselves.
Click to expand...

Read up on Cooper.
 
That's interesting. Did he know if those "couldn't get it out" people used pocket holsters or carried snag free guns? I wonder if they were seated when assaulted.

I find it very difficult to draw from a pocket while seated. I mostly carry AIWB but pocket carry frequently when it gets hot. It does that a lot here.
 
I didn't press him on the statement. I figured someone who is holstered could have the same problem if they are attacked before they draw. And I'm literally one month into this and have a lot to learn.

Decided to carry the second week of November. Went to the range that weekend. Took my CC class the following weekend. And bought my first firearm this weekend. Shot some as a kid. Haven't thought about it much since then.

So, I listened to his opinion and filed it away. Nice guy, very helpful for my accessory purchases.
 
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Opinions are like -- well, you know. Everybody's got one. Mine is that pocket carry is just dandy in some situations, not so hot in others. In particular, if pocket carry is for whatever reason the only way I can carry discretely in a certain situation -- well, I'd rather be with than without.
 
Pocket is not the easiest to get to, I grant you. Impossible to draw from when seated....almost but it depends on the pants and the seat. It's not my preferred carry method but when I can NOT print it is my go to. I am pocket carrying today. When I can risk printing I carry IWB with a hybrid holster at the 4 o'clock position typically and a second magazine on my weak side. I never pocket carry without a holster - my favorite right now is a DeSantis Nemesis.
 
That kind of generalized statement is nonsense. It is like saying that if you carry IWB you will loose time lifting your garment to get to the gun. Or if you belt carry OWB with a costnon you will lose time. Yes, you will lose time, and that is why practice is critical. I pocket carry my Remington 380 in the cold weather in my coat pocket. I do not have to worry about tight pants pocket or getting clothing out of the way. I carry IWB in the summer and have no fear that I cannot get my tee shirt out of the way quickly. Al things are relative. Absolute pronouncements about carry options are foolish.
 
Im retired LEO and I pocket carry 99% of the time. I sometimes use a pocket holster and sometimes not depending on which gun I carry. Some of my pockets have a small "mini change pocket" and the barrel fits nicely into this "Change pocket". When walking into stores, malls etc, I keep my hand in my pocket with hand on the gun handle. I practice drawing, and firing quite a lot. Thats my opinion but everyone in the gun world has their own opinion and it does not make them wrong and me right or vice versa. Its just an opinion.
 
My comment above about reading up on Cooper was in response to the gun store clerks comment on the inability to retrieve a pocket carried handgun after being attacked.

The point is; if you're aware of your surroundings, you shouldn't be caught totally unawares, you should already have your hand on that pocketed gun when things go from condition "Yellow" to condition "Orange". Therefore, you SHOULDN'T have ANY TROUBLE getting your gun out pocket.
 
D Brown said:
My comment above about reading up on Cooper was in response to the gun store clerks comment on the inability to retrieve a pocket carried handgun after being attacked.

The point is; if you're aware of your surroundings, you shouldn't be caught totally unawares, you should already have your hand on that pocketed gun when things go from condition "Yellow" to condition "Orange". Therefore, you SHOULDN'T have ANY TROUBLE getting your gun out pocket.
Click to expand...

I have one comment. Exactly!
 
nanney1 said:
Went into a local gun store (big shop) and looked at a 642. First thing I did was put it in my pocket to see how it felt and looked.

I asked the guy assisting me if he ever pocket carried and he said no. He didn't make any comment about me trying the 642 in my pocket

I then asked why he never pocket carried and he said "it's not the proper place to carry a firearm". Turns out he was a former LEO. Said he had encountered several situations where someone who was pocket carrying was attacked. Despite having a gun, they couldn't get it out of the pocket to defend themselves.
Click to expand...

In practical application of the pocket holster during force on force classes I found two times when this is true:

If you have to move to avoid an attack it is almost impossible to get the gun out without first stopping. Especially if your hand is not on the weapon to begin with and you are reacting.

When seated during an attack it is also almost impossible to get your hand in there and get the firearm out. Especially when someone is on you or coming at you and you are in reactive mode.

Where it shines is when you are spider sensing and your hand is already in your pocket. Or a surprise as you "reach for your wallet"

I went to a pair of cargo shorts and pants with baggier pockets and my firearm actually popped out of the pocket while wrestling on the ground. I am not a fan of cargos or baggy clothing. That being said I can fit a glock 29 in my wranglers if I wanted to

I pocket carry but not very often because of this. It is obviously more apparent when you are wearing jeans.

In pocket carry's defense, I also do not carry anything in my back pockets so when I get older I don't have sciatic nerve issues so my pocket space is limited to wallet and speedloader/strips on one side and knife and light on the other....

Just my personal experiences. Your mileage may vary.
 
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I tend to agree with him, but sometimes it can make sense if you’re so inclined. I guess if it is the only way you can carry the gun with reasonable comfort and convenience it is better than not having the gun with you at all.
 
As a retired LEO with some medical challenges I’m limited to pocket carry and a small, light gun. Most of the time it’s a J frame, sometimes a tiny .380 but nothing is perfect. I’ve also been involved in more than one use of deadly force during my 30 year career and am comfortable w/pocket carry. On cold weather I shift the gun from pants pocket to jacket and then back but the point is to have the gun with you all the time, then go to the range regularly.
 
Pocket carry is not ideal, and is like any other "holster". You have to practice regularly retrieving the weapon from the pocket. The problem is, most people who pocket carry rarely practice drawing and firing from that location. I am guilty of this. Around the house, I carry a 442 attached to a trigger guard "holster" in the watch pocket of my jeans. Lanyard attached to the holster is also attached to the bottom of the pocket so when the gun comes out the trigger guard clip comes off. Not much regular practice on my part with this configuration.
I think one of the things the clerk (retired LEO) may have been indicating is that under extreme stress, retrieval of a gun carried in the pocket would be difficult, especially if the movements necessary have not been practiced regularly.
Adding a hammer spur (if the model has one) only adds to the difficulty.
 
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It seems to me that the question is NOT about if one is comfortable with pocket carry, frequently uses pocket carry, or has pocket carried for a long time. Anyone who is honest will have to admit that drawing from a pocket, whether seated or not is more difficult than carrying on a belt.

Yes, if you walk around with your hand in your pocket and already on the gun it will be faster, but is it faster than the person with their hand already on their gun at 4:00? I doubt it. Really think you can get that j frame out and on target faster than the person carrying on their belt? And if you could, then you'd probably be even faster coming off the belt!

Don't misunderstand...I do occasionally pocket carry, but I'm under no delusion that it is equally as fast, or easy as retrieving my gun from my holster at 4:00. :cool:
 
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Old cop said:
As a retired LEO with some medical challenges I’m limited to pocket carry and a small, light gun. Most of the time it’s a J frame, sometimes a tiny .380 but nothing is perfect. I’ve also been involved in more than one use of deadly force during my 30 year career and am comfortable w/pocket carry. On cold weather I shift the gun from pants pocket to jacket and then back but the point is to have the gun with you all the time, then go to the range regularly.
Click to expand...

Were you pocket carrying during any of those incidents?
 
I always pocket carry (usually a J frame), and I also usually have a gun on my waistband (typically a 4" revolver, sometimes a semi-auto) when I'm out of my house.

I have my hand on the gun in my pocket 90% of the time when I'm out of the house and on my feet. I have timed it and know that I draw significantly faster from that position (hand on pistol in pocket) than I do when I draw a concealed pistol from under my shirt (hands at my sides).

That is why I consider the pocket gun my primary when I'm on my feet, and the waistband gun the backup. That's also why I lean towards a fairly hot pistol in my pocket much of the time - lately it's been a LCR327 loaded with full tilt .327.

That said, in the vehicle, the waistband gun will be all I can get to. I have also been known to take the pocket gun out and tuck it under my leg when driving in sketchy areas if that day I don't have my waistband gun.
 
Depends on which pocket we're talking about. Pocket carry can be a huge advantage.

I carry a Kimber K6 in my jacket pocket or pants pocket. I can bring my gun into action quicker than drawing from a belt holster.

I would take the cops advice with a grain of salt. Figure out what works for you and practice.
 
Pocket carry has its pros and cons like any other carry method. I'm personally very fond of it and it's my preferred method for carrying my snubs.

It is one of the quickest forms of carry for getting off a quick first shot. You can walk around in public with your hand already on the weapon without alerting anyone, which I find extremely comforting when I'm in the city. That can't be really said for other carry methods. An enclosed hammer snub comes out of the pocket extremely easily with a little practice to get the nuances down. And then there is the option of firing from inside the pocket...the fastest draw is no draw. Most effective from inside a jacket pocket, but by no means impossible with certain pants/shorts. Many dismiss it as impractical or gimmicky, but I think it's absolutely viable for close-quarter scenarios which I would expect to be the most probable distances of any encounters I am likely to be involved in as a civilian.
 
pocket carry seeded draw

When I'm entering a vehicle or sitting in a chair I can simply remove the centennial J frame from the pocket holster, leaving just the grip exposed out of the top of my jeans pocket and it is very fast to draw.
 
For every method of carry there are pluses and minuses. Pocket carry is IMHO a great way to carry if you are wearing the correct kind of pants and have a good designated pocket holster. I will also say there is no 100% perfetc carry mode and any method can have their drawbacks depending on the individual circumstances. Because one fellow has had issues with pocket Carry once does not mean it is a poor method. There are many who have had problems with other carry methods as well - again it all depends on the circumstance when the weapon is drawn.

I find that a M60 in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster carried in LL Bean Natural fit Jeans is perfect for me. The LL Bean Jeans have always had larger pockets than any others I've ever tried. BTW, the LL Bean Jeans are EXCELLENT also! This combo is perfect for me and I wind up carrying this way at least 50% of the time depending on weather, where I am headed and dress I need to wear.

I also OWB carry and that method is good most of the time, except if it is Winter and I am wearing a long heavy coat, then OWB is slower and less accessible than Pocket carry for that set of circumstances. IWB can be a problem with heavy clothing as well. so you see, IMHO there is no 100% perfect carry method 100% of the time and often weather, climate, dress and common sense will dictate the "best method" for that day.

PS: It is also a natural and common thing for people to put their hands in their pockets and so you can always have a grip on your gun ( undetected ) should the need arise. Not really so with any other carry methods!
 
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I pocket carry in a breast pocket most often,and find it very easy to draw my gun. I mostly wear coveralls so the breast pocket is big enough for a slender autoloader or small revolver. Granted..I would not want to be caught up in a fire fight with such a small weapon,but in all honesty..I carry defensively and am not looking for a fight. Because I believe in pocket carry,I am armed 99% of the time. The last 1% is when showering and hopefully my dogs will defend me..:)
 
Protected One said:
It seems to me that the question is NOT about if one is comfortable with pocket carry, frequently uses pocket carry, or has pocket carried for a long time. Anyone who is honest will have to admit that drawing from a pocket, whether seated or not is more difficult than carrying on a belt.

Yes, if you walk around with your hand in your pocket and already on the gun it will be faster, but is it faster than the person with their hand already on their gun at 4:00? I doubt it. Really think you can get that j frame out and on target faster than the person carrying on their belt? And if you could, then you'd probably be even faster coming off the belt!

Don't misunderstand...I do occasionally pocket carry, but I'm under no delusion that it is equally as fast, or easy as retrieving my gun from my holster at 4:00. :cool:
Click to expand...

Pocket of heavy coat vs. IWB 4 o'clock when wearing said heavy coat - which is faster? Again, it all depends. Blanket statements are usually wrong. Not always, but usually.
 
I pocket carry a 340PD in a Kramer pocket holster. I practice daily drawing it out of my pocket and I can get it out and on target very quickly. In the gun world there are few definite answers and a lot of opinions. There are times pocket carry can be faster than anything else.
 
My 35 years working ( retail trade service) I pocket carried daily While working I was always on My feet so pocket worked well. Being now I am retired found myself I W B alot. But a side note too with the I W B came larger calibers 40 & 45 that I didn't carry while working.
 
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